Kerala education minister Abdu Rabb recently said that he was against the practice of boys and girls sitting together in classrooms or on campuses of educational institutions. This statement of his drew criticism from many student groups and activists in the state. And although his views were expressed a month ago, when mentioned, it still manages to ruffle feathers as I soon find out during a visit to Sree Gokulam Medical College.
It is tea time when I reach the lush, green campus of the college and a group of third year MBBS students are gathered over coffee and tea. While some are talking nineteen to a dozen, others are busy dissecting the day’s lessons. The group comprises Devika Sind U., Afiya Thaha, Mathew John Mathai, Anumol Eldo, Arfaz Taj, Akhil Mohan, Jaice Davis, Aziya Sultana, Arshad Siyad and Karthika U.
“We are usually together like this outside of class or during our medical rounds. During class, the girls and boys sit in separate rows,” they say.
It’s a tradition that was started by the previous generation of students. But that does not mean that they are banned from sitting beside the opposite sex.
“It’s not something that has been imposed by our professors or by the college management. It’s just how things have continued over the years. It was like this in most of our schools, boys and girls seated separately, mostly because of the ‘comfort-level’ and because of the fear of being teased. I guess, our seniors and us included, just continued the practice to college. However, if someone is late for class and if the class is full, he/she sits wherever space is available; it could be next to a person of the opposite gender. Also during practical rounds and projects, both the guys and girls team up. During lunch, most of us are together to share our meal,” says Afiya.
House surgeon Hari S. points out that the medical field, like in most professions, is all about team work. The third year students point out if one wants to live and survive in society, one needs to interact with both sexes.
“Most parents and educators believe that if the classes are divided on the basis of gender of the students, it can increase the effectiveness of the educational process. But the real world is co-ed, and students, regardless of which education stream they are pursuing, should be prepared to interact and work together productively, which is what they will be expected to do throughout their life. We don't agree with the opinion that students will 'check each other out', flirt, misbehave or lose focus in class if men and women are seated together. It’s when you impose restrictions that one is tempted to break it,” say Devika and Abhirami Jacob, a second year MBBS student.
As in most colleges, there are “spies” who inform the authorities ‘concerned’ if any two students of the opposite gender are seen once too often.
“That is such a backward way of thinking! Can’t a boy and girl be just friends? Why do they have to be automatically linked just because they are seen together,” ask Akhil and Arfaz, as the rest point out that, that could be a reason why they haven’t bothered about changing their seating arrangement.
“We don’t want our parents to worry about us needlessly.”
Jaice says the change should start from the parents.
“Girls are always discouraged by elders from talking to or spending time with boys. Even when a boy drops a girl off because it’s late, she gets pulled up. And yet people complain about gender inequality,” he says as the rest pitch in saying: “If a guy is interested in a girl and vice versa, they will find some means to get in touch.”
However, the students say that the present generation is more practical when it comes to relationships. “They know where their priorities lie; emotions don’t come into play, studies come first.”
(A monthly column on views from the campus)
